Middle Linebacker

Joe Mays, Nate Irving and Steven Johnson, the three players currently on the roster who figure to compete for the middle linebacker job, combined for a total of just 43 tackles last season.

That is partly due to the fact that Mays played in just six games. Still, Denver knew they were weak at the position heading into the season last year, hence the August signing of Keith Brooking.

Mays has the experience at the position, but Johnson and Irving will be given every opportunity to win the job.

The middle linebacker spot may be the weakest position on the entire team, leading to questions as to why it wasn't addressed in the draft. Denver did bring in Doug Rippy, a former Colorado Buffaloes linebacker, as an undrafted free agent, however.

Opposing tight ends routinely beat Denver across the middle of the field last season, and this is an aspect that must be improved upon.

Mays can add strong run support, but he is a liability in coverage. That opens the door for either Johnson or Irving to step up.

Still, is the starting middle linebacker even on the roster right now?

Backup Quarterback

Obviously, unless there is a calamitous set of circumstances, there will be just as much need for a backup quarterback in Denver in 2013 as there was in 2012.

Still, the team has three young quarterbacks on the roster, one of whom is the likely signal-caller of the future.

Brock Osweiler will enter his second season in the league and the team has Zac Dysert, whom they selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft and Ryan Katz, an undrafted free agent who spent time at both Oregon State and San Diego State in college.

Osweiler saw limited action last season, but still has a year serving as an understudy to Peyton Manning under his belt. That will be a huge advantage.

Dysert and Katz will likely battle for the third-string spot, if Denver decides to keep three quarterbacks.

Dysert is an interesting prospect who is able to make plays you wouldn't think he could make, especially with his legs.

And let's not forget about second-year runner Ronnie Hillman and Knowshon Moreno, who experienced a resurrection of sorts in the latter part of 2012 before having to leave the playoff game against the Ravens with an injury.

This position will be hard to diagnose, but if the Broncos opt for a youth movement, McGahee's days could be numbered.

There is every reason to believe that Ball could break out in his rookie season.

He ran for an amazing 3,753 yards and 55 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons alone at Wisconsin.

Hillman will be given his chances, as long as his pass-protection has improved.

Moreno will have to prove he can stay healthy or he could be looking up at the depth chart.

All four guys should make the team unless Lance Ball or Fannin has a terrific preseason and forces the coaching staff to make a tough decision.

If McGahee is fully recovered from his knee injury and has no setbacks, he should get the first shot due to his experience. How long he holds the job will be another question.

Fourth Wide Receiver

It goes without saying that Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker will be the top three wide receivers in Denver this season.

The real intrigue will be who else gets a roster spot at the position.

Other than the big three, the Broncos have Gerell Robinson, Tavarres King, Andre Caldwell, Greg Orton, Quincy McDuffie, Lamaar Thomas and Kemonte Bateman battling for two or three spots.

Bateman, McDuffie and Thomas were all brought in as undrafted free agents and will be long shots to make the final roster.

Caldwell was a major disappointment last season, catching just one pass after Denver brought him in as a free agent.

Robinson spent time in Denver's training camp last season and was one of the team's final cuts. Orton has been in training camp for the Broncos before as well and spent last season on the team's practice squad.

King was selected in the fifth round of the draft after posting a solid career at the University of Georgia that included over 2,600 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns.

The fourth wide receiver position should go to King, Orton or Robinson and all three will have the chance to make the team unless Bateman, Thomas or McDuffie can open some eyes.

Orton will make a strong push, knowing this may be his last chance to do so. But in the end, it will be Robinson, who will use a combination of his size (6'4", 227) and electric playmaking ability to win the job.